Your March 2023 edition
Welcome to the International Insights newsletter, a monthly roundup of news, opportunities and updates with an international focus, curated by Western International for the Western community.
Big idea for low-cost, accessible microscope takes top prize in Western's World's Challenge Challenge
Ten teams of Western students pitched their inspiring ideas to solve some of the world's biggest problems at Western's World's Challenge Challenge final competition on March 22, after advancing from an earlier semi-final round.
Awarded the top three prizes were:
- ParaSight: a low-cost, accessible microscope for diagnosing malaria;
- Reprocess Pharma: a mobile application that has three main purposes: education, donation and medication disposal;
- and Azadir Oral Care: a socially driven for-profit company that sells oral care products made of Neem trees in Cameroon.
The first-place team will be invited to represent Western as the World's Challenge Challenge Global Final competition hosted by Western in June.
"With activities from Japanese paper-folding to international potluck dinners, Global Café makes it possible for students from different countries and cultures to come together in a welcoming, inclusive environment."
- Hasan Bayraktar, PhD candidate, Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership Studies
Program Spotlight: Global Café
A weekly gathering designed to provide opportunities for international and Canadian students to connect with and learn from each other, Global Café is organized by Western International staff and student volunteers.
Each week, the planning team focuses on timely themes, including Black History Month, Holi, Valentine's Day and Iranian Culture.
All students are welcome to drop by the International and Graduate Affairs Building Atrium on Thursdays between 3 and 5 pm.
Events will continue to be offered during the summer. A schedule can be found on our website.
New Global Connect program begins with Costa Rica Tour
Western International's recently launched Global Connect program offers short-term in-person, group-based experiential learning opportunities through international study tours.
Designed to enhance students' academic commitments and achievements, Global Connect study tours are scheduled during reading weeks and summer term.
Through a combination of active experiential learning, cross-cultural exchanges and completion of an e-portfolio, participants gain the valuable leadership and intercultural skills needed to be global-ready graduates.
Applications are now being accepted for the summer 2023 tour in Costa Rica!
Meet Furaha Alphonce
A master's student from Tanzania and recipient of a Study in Canada Scholarship, Furaha's research is focused on phosphorus removal and recovery from wastewater to improve the quality of water.
“After I complete my program in Tanzania, I plan to find a role with a higher learning institution or research centre, so I can devote my career to being a researcher. I would like to stay in my home country because it needs me. I need to make sure the kind of knowledge I have, and the kind of skills I have, can be utilized to solve some of the problems there, such as water quality, and make a difference for my community and my country.”
International Orientation: May 4-6
New international students and international students who missed their previous orientation are invited to take part in programming designed to help them:
- learn important information about Western,
- get connected with resources across campus,
- make friends and connections to last,
- and much more!
Students can visit our International Student Orientation website to see a schedule of events, photos of previous orientations, and access resources designed to ease their transition to Western and Canada.
Have questions? Contact iescwelcome@uwo.ca.
Did you know?
Western International offers income tax information sessions to support international students in filing their Canadian income taxes. If you know of a student looking for assistance to file in Canada, please encourage them to contact our team at iesc@uwo.ca or to register for an upcoming information session.
If you have ideas, suggestions or opportunities with an international focus to share, please let us know at wicomms@uwo.ca.
